All You Need To Know About England’s New Manager – Sam Allardyce

Sam Allardyce, popularly known as Big Sam, has been appointed as the England National Football team manager. He replaces Roy Hodgson after Hodgson quit as the manager following a dismal performance in the Euro 2016. Big Sam is a former professional football player, making over 578 appearances over 21 years. He was one of the best central defenders and his strength and height made him one of the most intimidating figures on the football pitch. Here are some interesting facts about Sam Allardyce that you will love reading about.

Sam started his youth career with Dudley town and played for them from 1968 to 1969. He then moved to the youth team for Bolton Wanderers and played for them from 1969 to 1971. Big Sam impressed the authorities at Bolton Wanderers and inducted into the senior team in 1971. He went on to play for the senior team for nine years and made 184 appearances for them scoring 21 goals.

Sam Allardyce has been called a ‘Long Ball’ manager by many pundits because of his team’s style of playing.

Big Sam and his son Craig were accused of taking bribes in 2006. These allegations were never proved though and they were never charged with any offences.

Sam began his managerial career with Preston North End in 1992. He managed them for 12 games before moving on to Blackpool. His longest managerial stint came with Bolton Wanderers. He managed Bolton for 371 games between 1999 and 2007.

Sam Allardyce has played a total of 578 matches through his career and scored 42 goals.

Big Sam has been a manager for 956 games across various clubs. His teams have won 373 matches of them which give him a winning % of 39%.

Sam Allardyce is the first ever manager to manage both North East rivals Sunderland AFC and Newcastle United.

Big Sam has never won a major trophy as a manager. He is however seen as the perfect manager to avoid relegation.

Sam’s family had a tradition of moustaches. Sam sported a moustache for many years however he chose to take off his moustache breaking the age old tradition of his family.